This really is a non-story people are making out to be something it isn't. Just need to read up on what that factory actually did and where most of our lead comes from. Next thing you know those crazy libs are going to make me use unleaded gasoline!
I honestly don't think there is one person on this forum that would want to work in a plant that melts lead or even near one.
In the spirit of 10 page threads the answer is clearly
UNIONS are what shut down the plant and/or: